I love a Christmas wreath that feels as though it has been gathered straight from the garden. There's something beautiful about working with foraged foliage, bringing together different shades of green, interesting branches and unexpected details to create something that feels personal and rather wild.

While a foraged wreath might look effortless, there is an art to making it actually look good, rather than a collection of gathered greenery.

For me, the secret to elevating a natural Christmas wreath is all in the layering, choice of materials and extra, yet simple, finishings. Think dried citrus displayed in an interesting way, and a beautiful thick, velvet ribbon. Here, I share four of my best tricks for giving a foraged wreath a more professional feel.

Start With a Beautiful Mix of Foraged Foliage

The secret to a beautiful natural wreath is to use a variety of foliage for Christmas décor, rather than relying on just one type.

I love combining different shades of green, leaf shapes and textures, choosing some fuller, more substantial branches alongside finer, delicate stems.

Don't forget your good quality pruning shears are needed to make the job of foraging much easier. My go-to are these Niwaki pruning shears from Anthropologie.

Look beyond traditional evergreen, too. The best natural materials for a homegrown wreath include interesting hedgerow foliage, conifer clippings and trailing greenery can all bring something different. The more variety you introduce, the more depth your wreath will have.

Layer Your Materials for Depth

To give your wreath a fuller, more professional finish, build up your foliage in layers rather than adding individual sprigs randomly.

I like to work in bunches, overlapping each one as I move around the base, so that the stems are concealed and the materials sit together naturally.

The best way to attach your foliage is by using wire, or natural jute twine, available from Amazon.

Vary the direction and placement of your foliage, too, allowing some pieces to sit higher while others follow the shape of the wreath. You can follow the natural shapes in the branches to create a bigger wreath, and stay true to a wilder, more natural feel.

Add Contrast With Unexpected Details

Once you have a good foundation of foliage, think about introducing a few materials that will create contrast and draw the eye.

For this wreath design, I created garlands of dried limes (available from Amazon), which bring a warm, muted color and interesting shapes against the greenery.

Seedheads, cones, berries and dried flowers can all work beautifully, too, but I would choose just one or two additional materials and repeat them around the wreath for a more considered finish.

Perfect the Finishing Touches

It's often the little details that take a homemade wreath to the next level. I love to embellish my shape with twigs I've gathered from the garden. Stick them into the design at a variety of angles to add depth.

I don't feel you need to add lots decoration for a wreath to look professional, but one well-chosen ribbon can make a big impact. In my design, I have layered two double-sided velvet ribbons in rich plum and vibrant burnt orange, which give that festive flourish to finish the design. I found this forest green double sided velvet ribbon at Walmart, and recommend.

I also like to think about how the wreath will hang, and whether you want to add a ribbon for this too, as you want it to look just as beautiful from a distance as it does close up.

What to Shop For Your Wreath Design

Love inspiring garden ideas, outdoor advice, and the latest news? Sign up for the Homes & Gardens newsletter and get the latest features delivered straight to your inbox.